VGC Day 8: Lost in the Music

Welcome back to our “30 day” video game challenge! If you’re just joining us, be sure to check out our previous entries!

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Day 8: Name the game with the best soundtrack.

I posted an article over at NowLoading regarding six times video game music quietly manipulated you, so definitely check that out, too, if you’re interested.

And because I don’t have enough opportunities to be a complete music nerd in my life, I’m going to talk about the difference between a score and a soundtrack, which has nothing to do with video games but…

A score is music composed specifically for a movie or game. It’s usually instrumental, and plays through a majority of the movie/game. A soundtrack is a term that can refer to songs not composed for the game/movie, but used in the game/movie anyway. Most of the time, scores and soundtracks are the same thing, with the latter term often being substituted for the former, as I did above.

Why the distinction? Besides me being a nerd, it’s because I love the radio stations in the Grand Theft Auto series, but that’s not a score. But it is part of a soundtrack. And I think the question is asking about original scores.

And… yeah I’m a music nerd and love details, so I thought I’d subject you to both of those things in one article.

Oh! And then there’s the consideration of soundtracks that have easily recognizable themes that you can hum readily, and ones that are just fantastically beautiful to listen to. (Who decided it was a good idea to ask a musician this question??) Anyway, let’s stick with “hummable” and “not-as-hummable” soundtracks, just to keep this list from getting out of control.

My top “hummable” soundtrack is:

Mega Man II, composed by Kenji Yamazaki

Thanks to Grad1u53

I wish there was a live instrument version of this soundtrack! If anyone knows of any, please let me know!!

Honorable Mention: The Legend of Zelda series, particularly Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time.

And my top three orchestral (aka “not-as-hummable”) soundtracks are (in no particular order):

Shadow of the Colossus, composed by Kow Otani

Thanks to CaseofGlass

Dragon Age: Origins, composed by Inon Zur

Thanks to Agent Sambora

The Last Story, composed by Nobuo Uematsu

Thanks to Soundtrack World VGames

Honorable Mention: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, composed by Norihiko Hibino and Harry Gregson-Williams

What about you? What are your top soundtracks/musical scores? Is “hummability” important?

Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you soon!
~Athena

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